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U G H T 4 U C O R S A I R

N U S M C U S N I A A A E H D N A V A L E F t F O R E I G N S E R V I C E



ry

Marine F4U-1A taxying out from its dispersal area on a Pacific island sometime in 1943. Note blown hood and centre line bomb rack, alsoinboard position of national insignia, typical for this period. (US Marines via R. Kopitzke)



A I CA M AV A T IO N SERIES No . 23

Vought F4U-1 D Corsair, USS Bunker Hill CV-17, early 1945.

U G H T 4 U C O R S A I RU S M C U S N I A A A E R O N A V A L E ^ F O R E I G N S E R V I C E

Written by Robert Kopitzke

Compiled by Richard Ward

and Robert Kopitzke

Illustrated by Gordon C. Davies

Published by: Osprey Publications Limited, England

Editorial Office: P.O. Box 5, Canterbury, Kent England

Subscription Business Office: P.O. Box 25, 707 Oxford Road, Reading, Berkshire England

The Berkshire Printing Co . Ltd. © Osprey Publications Ltd. 1971 SBN 85045 028 4 Not for sale in U.S.A.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Corsair, a slow starter as a carrier fighter during World War II,

being land based for most of its service with the United States

Marine Corps, outlived all its wartime contemporaries to fight on

for the duration of the Korean War, to see action over Suez and

Algeria, and to finish its career giving excellent service to USMCand USN Reserve units. Thanks are due to all who assisted with

photographs and information whose names are listed below in

alphabetical order:

R. C. B. Ashworth, J. Cuny, d'E. C. Darby, F. C. Dickey Jr.,

ECA, IWM, R. Kopitzke, Art Kreiger, D. Noble, G. Vance,USMC, US Navy.

Goodyear FG-1 Corsair, Royal New Zealand Air Force, in standard scheme but

with red, white and blue roundels in six positions. Note crude overpainting of theoriginal national insignia.



Homeward bound after bombing and straffing coast defence and anti-aircraft guns on Maloelap atoll in the Marshall Islands . F4U-1 D Corsairsof vMF_922 of the 2nd Marine Air Wno. 10 June 1944. US Marines)



Marine Corsair bombing a Japanese strong point in the hills of Peleliu in direct support of Marine ground forces, October 1944. (US Marines)

T F4U / 7 CORSAIR

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair will, without a doubt,

ught design in 1938 provided the green light

avy inspection in early 1939. Outstanding

factured by Pratt and Whitney with the air-

ag. The undercarriage was mounted

The first flight of the prototype XF4U-1 Corsair took

ay 1940, with Lyman J. Bullard, Jr. at the

ame

er plant combination showing tremendous capability.

flights on 1 October 1940, between

nued with the test programme.

Two other major problem areas were poor spin recovery

ity. Some major design work was done by

iminated the two small

y installed in the wing. Armament on

The first flight of the first production aircraft took

1942. With the great need for navy fighters, and

t by Brewster was designated the F3A-1 and

design and workmanship of the Corsair was so out-

standing that it set a standard for all aircraft manufac-

tured during World War II.

CORSAIRS WITH THE U S. NAVY

Although the Navy did receive the F4U-1 Corsairbefore the Marines (VF-12 began accepting deliveries on

3 October 1942) the Marine Corps had priority on

delivery of F4U's. As with all new aircraft the teething

period was not without its problems, and VF-12 found

the F4U to suffer from a lack of power at altitude caused

by air leaks in the intake manifold. Landing characteris-

tics on board aircraft carriers left the Navy with some

doubts about the usefulness of the Corsair in this role.

VF-12, upon arrival at Espiritu Santo, turned its F4U's

over to the Marines and began to re-equip itself with

F6F-3 Hellcats for carrier operations. One other squadron,

VF-17, commanded by LCdr. J. T. Blackburn, also

received the Corsair and was assigned to the carrierBunker Hill during June 1943. Training went smoothly

and on schedule, but the Navy was still unconvinced

about the Corsair's performance; when the Bunker Hillarrived in the Pacific, VF-17 was sent ashore to operate

in the . New Georgia area in September 1943. An F6F

squadron, VF-18, took over the fighter duties on the

carrier. An improved model of the Corsair, the bubble-

canopy F4U-la, was first issued to VF-17. This squadron

was to become one of the outstanding American fighter

units of World War II, claiming 154 enemy aircraft shot

down in two and one half months of combat and count-

ing twelve aces among its pilots. On one occasion, while

flying high cover for two carriers while the Carrier Air

Group was conducting a strike on Rabaul, VF-17

splashed all eighteen attacking Japanese torpedo bombers

and landed safely on the Essex and Bunker Hill to refuel.It was VF-17 that had attempted using the F4U as a

fighter-bomber on one of the strike missions against

Rabaul. The completion of its combat tour marked the

end of Corsair employment by Navy fighter squadrons

until early 1945. A newly formed Navy squadron, VF-301,

was assigned the F4U and ordered to proceed with

carrier trials in April 1944. The raised canopy improved



forward vision and a completely rebuilt landing strut

eliminated the characteristic bounce when the Corsair

landed. A Navy evaluation board stated in May 1944

that the F4U was a better fighter, bomber and a more

suitable carrier aircraft than the F6F, and strongly recom-

mended that squadrons phase-in F4U aircraft. As

squadrons returned to the rear areas, they would gradu-

ally exchange their F6Fs for the newly-arrived F4U

Corsairs.

CORSAIRS WITH THE MARINES

Guadalcanal

The U.S.M.C. accepted Corsairs in August and Sep-

tember 1942, assigning the aircraft to VMF-124. The

squadron achieved combat readiness by the end ofDecember and was delivered to Espiritu Santo in early

February, where it flew into the war zone led by its

commanding officer, Major William E. Gise. Arriving on

Guadalcanal on 12 February 1942, the squadron provided

escort on a rescue mission on their day of arrival. The

next day the F4U was flying escort for some PB4Y-l's

(Navy version of B-24) on a 300-mile bombing mission

to Bougainville and back, a feat no previous Marine fighter

could perform. On 14 February the Corsair was blooded

in its first enemy contact while acting as escort on an

attack mission to Kahili Field on Bougainville. The

enemy was waiting with 50 Zeros, and in the melee

which followed the Japanese downed two F4U's, two

P-40's, four P-38's and two PB4Y-l's against a loss of

three Zeros, one of which collided with an F4U.

Shortly thereafter, the Marine Corp Corsairs gained

an aerial superiority over the Japanese fighters which

they were to hold until the war ended. During its com-

bat tour in the Solomons, VMF-124 claimed 68 enemy

aircraft against a combat loss of 11 F4U's and three

pilots; however, operational losses accounted for 17

additional aircraft and four pilots. By the middle of July

the following seven squadrons in the South Pacific were

all re-equipped with the new F4U : VMF-213 on 11

March, VMF-121 on 15 April, VMF-112 and VMF-221

on 19 May, VMF-122 on 16 June, VMF-214 on 19 June

and VMF-123 on 2 July.

A typical escort mission would consist of Army Air

Corps P-38's flying high cover at 34,000 feet, with layers

of four to eight F4U's between 20,000 and 30,000 feet,

weaving back and forth. The bombers would be flyingat 20,000 feet and low protective cover was flown by

Royal New Zealand Air Force P-40's. The Japanese

fighters came up to look over the formation at a safe

distance, but would not attack unless formation was

broken.

A Japanese attempt to knock out the Guadalcanal

defenders was attempted, beginning on 1 April, by a

force of 58 Zeros. In the ensuing battle six defenders

were shot down against a loss of 18 Zeros, with credit

for ten going to the Marines and eight to the Navy

fighters. This was the preliminary bout, with the main

event following on 7 April, when no less than 177 enemy

aircraft were reported by the coastwatchers to be moving

down the Slot toward Guadalcanal. One hundred and

ten Zeros were escorting 67 Val dive-bombers on their

intended mission to destroy the defenders. A mixture

of 76 Army, Navy and Marine fighters rose to do combat

with the oncoming enemy. As the fighters became en-

tangled, the dive-bombers severely damaged three ships,

all of which sank. In the aerial clash above, the enemy

Neat peel-off by an early Marine F4U-1 Corsair; code in black on secon

and third aircraft is F-27 and F-31 respectively. (US Marines)

was to lose 39 aircraft. Of this number 28 were crediteto the Marine units, some of which were still flying th

F4F Wildcat. After this costly raid, enemy operation

were conducted with reduced frequency, but were sti

considered a potent threat. On 25 April, while returnin

from an escort mission, four F4U's of VMF-213 ran int

a force of 20 Zeros and 16 bombers. The Marines sho

down five of the fighters and drove off the bombers, wit

a loss of two Corsairs and one pilot. On 17 May 2

Zeros, escorting a single reconnaissance plane in a

apparent attempt to check on Allied airfield progress, ra

into Army and Marine fighters. Of the 16 Zeros sho

down, 15 were credited to Marine Corsairs and one t

a P-38. Three F4U's were lost including VMF-124

commanding officer, Major Gise.

A raid on 7 June saw 112 enemy aircraft clash wit

the island defenders. Of 23 enemy aircraft lost, th

Corsairs of VMF-112 claimed seven for a loss of fou

F4U's, the pilots of which were saved. The last larg

daylight raid occurred on 16 June when out of a

estimated 120 raiders, 107 were shot down-80 by aircra

and the others by ground fire. VMF-121, VMF-122 an

VMF-124 accounted for a total of eight against a loss o

one pilot. The other aircraft were shot down by Arm

and Navy squadrons.

Moving up the Slot

The invasion of the New Georgia group of island

finally took place on 30 June 1943 after months o

bombing and strafing of airfields, barracks, suppl

depots, barges and anti-aircraft installations. Fighte

patrols maintained 32-plane cover throughout the landings, and in so doing ran up a score of 101 enemy air

craft shot down. The Marine squadrons took credit fo

58, as follows : VMF-121 18, VMF-122 four, VMF-21

20, VMF-221 16. VMF-121 lost four F4U's and thre

pilots. With ground forces now having a sound footin

in territory considered to be under Japanese control, a

attacks became more numerous. Hardly a day passe

without a patrol clashing with flights of Bettys escorte

by Zeros; however, the attacks were futile, if not disas

trous, for the enemy. A flight of 60 Zeros and 12 Bettys

bound for the ships at Rendova on 7 July lost a total o

16 aircraft (ten to VMF-122, three to VMF-121, thre

to VMF-221).

Another attack on 15 July was equally disastrous fo

the enemy, costing them 15 bombers and 29 fighters o

which 14 were claimed by VMF-122 and 16 by VMF-213

The success of the invasion can be attributed directly t

successful fighter coverage. One noticeable event occu

ring during the New Georgia campaign was the innova

tion of close ground air support (the term close



I

Nice flying shot of a pair of Goodyear FG-1 's; note the matt finish ahead of cockpit. (via G. J. Letzter)

as crude during the initial stages; however,

ahili area, which took the enemy by surprise, 78

's, shot down 41 enemy aircraft out of 52 (seven for

VMF-221).

On a typical fighter escort bombing mission, if enemy

types. Of this total, the Marines claimed 187 against

dits were divided among Army, Navy, New Zea-

One island lay in the path to the key target of Rabaul,

iles, and

ips. All Marine fighter squadrons were in action against

F-211), Munda (VMF-215), Villa Lavella (VMF-

, and Barakoma (VMF-212).

Marine policy at this time was to keep a squadron in

back areas at Espiritu Santo or Efate. The time was

Pre-invasion strikes against Bougainville began in

. October 15 saw 16 F4U's and 12 P-38's escorting

bing mission against Kahili. Between

F4U's engaged 30 to 40 Zeros during an attack on the

Ballale Island airstrips, shooting down 14 of the enemy

for a loss of one Corair. Again, in a strike against Kahili

while escorting B-24's and SBD's, 19 F4U's tangled with

from 15 to 20 Zeros. Score-eight Zeros destroyed.

October 20 was to be one of the last days during which

sizeable aerial resistance was to be encountered, with

twenty-four F4U's tangling with twenty Zeros-the tally

was three Zeros and two F4U's lost. Escort missions

were flown daily but no enemy aircraft were encountered

until 27 October when the Corsairs, while providing

fighter cover for the Treasury Island invasion, encoun-

tered fighters and quickly disposed of twelve enemy air-craft.

The invasion of Bougainville took place on 1 Novem-

ber at Cape Torokina, catching the enemy off-guard on

the beaches, but the enemy air force was alerted and the

first defensive strike consisted of thirty Zeros. Half of

this group was shot down before they came near the

invasion area-VMF-221 got two confirmed and one

probable. At about noon a flight of F4U's from VMF-215

met an enemy force of 20 to 30 Zeros and Kates , en-

gaging eight of them, of which five were shot down for

a loss of one F4U, the pilot escaping safely. The day

saw four major air strikes which cost the enemy 26 air-

craft, 22 to fighters and four to anti-aircraft fire. Two

F4U's were lost along with one pilot. While reinforce-

ments landed near Empress Augusta Bay on 8 November,

more than 100 bombers with Zero escorts attempted to

disrupt the operation. However, the 28-plane screen

stopped all except a few aircraft from attacking the

landing forces. Twenty-six enemy aircraft were claimed,

including five by VMF-212. The defenders lost four

P-40's, two F6F's, a P-38 and one Corsair and its pilot.

One last attempt was made on the morning of 17

November, when 55 Zeros and ten carrier bombers

attacked eight transports and ten destroyers at Empress

Augusta Bay. A combined patrol of Army, Navy and

Marine Corps aircraft were awaiting their arrival. Of the

16 raiders claimed shot down, six were credited to

VMF-221. Activity after this date amounted to nothing

more than nuisance raids.

It was during the Bougainville campaign that close air

support was perfected. Prior to this time aircraft werenot used to their fullest capability since, on occasion,

the bombs fell on American troops, and the ground

forces had little faith in air support. Flight personnel

were taught air/ground communications, after which they



Marine Corsairs flying escort to Grumman Avengers on the homeward run after an attack against targets on Formosa. This was the first time Marine

fighters had operated from a carrier, 3 January 1944. (US Marines)

worked with ground forces and provided air liaison sup-

port successfully. A high degree of accuracy was attained,

with the ability to drop bombs on the enemy a mere 100

yards from friendly troops.

Isolating Rabaul

Located on the north-eastern tip of New Britain and

containing one of the best natural harbours in the South

Pacific, Rabaul was captured by the Japanese on 23

January 1942 and was quickly developed into a key base

to support offensive operations to the west and south-

east. Close to 100,000 troops were stationed at Rabaul,

along with 200 Navy and 173 Army fighter aircraft operat-

ing out of four separate airfields.With the loss of Bougainville by the enemy, Army,

Navy, Marine Corps and New Zealand aircraft were now

within striking range of Rabaul. The commanding officer

of VMF-214, Major Gregory ( Pappy ) Boyington, led

the first major sweep of Rabaul on 17 December 1943,

at the head of 31 Corsairs, 23 P-40's and 22 F6F's. A

reluctant enemy sent up a small force of fighters to meet

the attackers, and seven enemy aircraft were shot down

for a loss of three New Zealand aircraft and pilots. On

23 December, following a heavy bomber strike, Pappy

Boyington, with 48 fighters, caught some 40 Japanese

aircraft still in the air, 30 of which were claimed shot

down including a dozen credited to VMF-214. Another

strike on 25 December, when 15 heavy bombers, escorted

by 63 fighters, hit Rabaul, saw 13 more aircraft shot

down. The four Marine Corsair Squadrons (VMF's 214,

216, 223 and 321) based at Torokina claimed 52 enemy

aircraft shot down on 27 and 28 December. Air sweeps

over Rabaul between 17 December and New Year's Day

claimed 147 aircraft shot down.

The third of January was an unlucky day. Major

Boyington was shot down, along with his wingman; the

Major baled out of his burning aircraft at 300 feet,

landing in St. George's Channel. Unknown to the allies,

he was captured by a Japanese submarine and held

prisoner until VJ Day. Boyington, at that time, described

how on his last mission he shot down two enemy air-

craft (bringing his final score to 28 aircraft) before he

was himself shot down.

Bombing strikes continued against Rabaul, concen-

trating on the airfields with shipping targets being secondin priority. A strike against enticing shipping targets in

Simpson Harbour on 14 January using SBD's and TBF's,

with F4U's and F6F's escorting, claimed hits on nine

ships and the loss of 29 enemy aircraft, with VMF-214

receiving credit for 19 of them. The 17 January strik

consisted of 29 SBD's and 18 TBF's escorted by 7

fighters. Of 79 enemy aircraft encountered, 17 were sh

down. Marine Corsairs of VMF-321 got three as d

VMF-212, and VMF-211 destroyed four. Returning

24 January with 84 fighters escorting, 18 TBF's h

Keravia Bay, south of Rabaul. Sixteen of the 23 enem

aircraft shot down were credited to the Marines, the oth

seven being divided up between Army, Navy and Ne

Zealanders. A late afternoon attack against Rabaul on

January revealed the absence of any large ships; howev

fighter reinforcements had been flown in earlier and the

aircraft came up to engage in combat, coming off seco

best with a loss of 21 fighters against two F4U's an

one TBF. Lieutenant Robert M. Hanson of VMF-21

shot down four, bringing his total to 25 (he shot dow

all but five in a 17-day period). He was killed three da

later when his Corsair failed to pull out of a strafing r

on Cape St. George. The last important aerial comb

took place over Rabaul on 19 February, when a stri

force totalling 145 TBF's, SBD's, F4U's, P-40's an

F6F's were met by 50 defending Japanese fighters. W

the loss of 23 aircraft, the Japanese high comman

decided to withdraw their remaining aircraft to Tru

Island. Thus ended the great air battles over Rabaul. T

final tally of enemy aircraft claimed shot down cred

the Marines with 393, the Navy with 166, the Army wi

131, and the R.N.Z.A.F. with 40. The accuracy of the

figures will probably never be known, since in some castwo separate aircraft would claim the same victim.

Following the raid of 19 February, no more than s

defenders ever rose to meet the Allies. The islands su

rounding Rabaul were occupied by Allied forces an

provided airfields within easy range of Rabaul; freque

raids prevented further utilization of the island as

major supply depot.

The Night-Fighter Corsair

Production was well under way on the F4U-1 wh

the Navy asked Chance Vought for a night-fighter ve

sion of the Corsair. Wartime demands were so high th

Chance Vought could not devote space or personnel

this project; therefore, the Naval Aircraft Factory too

delivery of twelve F4U-l's and modified them to a nig

fighter version by equipping the aircraft with airborintercept radar, the radome and antennae being locat

on the right wing just inboard of the wing tip. Armame

was reduced from six to four .50 calibre machine gun

and an autopilot installed.



F4U-2 aircraft were assigned to two night-fighter

-75 commanded by Lt.-Cdr. G. Gus

idhelm, and VF(N)-101 commanded by Lt.-Cdr. R. E.

night interception of a Japanese Betty bomber on

e on his target. The other squadron, VF(N)-

1, was assigned duty aboard the aircraft carrier CV-9

U.S.S. Hornet for a short tour and

U.S.S. Intrepid. The aircraft

ajor E. H. Vaughn.

The F4U-2's were based at Hawkins Field on newly

arshall and Gilbert Islands.

the Kwajalein Atoll, stopping at Makin

in his night nuisance raids used window tothe radar scopes, and on occasion also used decoys

this wasn't always successful; on 14 April VMF(N)-

Since only twelve Corsairs were converted to night-

ot until late 1944 would the Corsair again appear as a

-Bomber Corsairs

First use of the F4U-1 as a fighter-bomber took place

d Corsairs of VMF-111 dropped 1,000 pound bombs

ed that the F4U could (by extending

egrees. During the final stages of the

avy's VF-17, also flying land-based Corsairs, had

ilar experiments a month earlier, with Rabaul

During mid-1944 Charles A. Lindbergh, serving as a

ical Representative, pioneered the process of doub-

nds. Demonstrations conducted successfully against

otje Island increased the importance of

U's would drop 200,000 pounds of bombs on the

Japanese installations in the Marshall Islands.

The Marines had shown the Corsair to be an outstand-

ing fighter, in some instances exceeding all expectations.

However, the F4U was still land-locked and would be

until the end of the year 1944. Meanwhile it would be

operated as a fighter-bomber on the by-passed enemy

strongholds in the South Pacific. By-passed bases don't

shrivel up, but have to be raided periodically to prevent

reinforcement. One advantage to this was that new pilots

received adequate training which proved extremely use-

ful on Okinawa, the Philippines and Kyushu.

The first new major conflict in which Marine Corsairs

would participate wal on the island of Peleliu. VMF-114,

with white-nosed Corsairs led by Major R. F. Stout,

arrived on D+4. The F4U's were used for the thorough

pre-invasion bombing and strafing of an adjacent island,

which was successfully invaded and captured. In October

two more U-Bird squadrons, VMF's 121 and 122,

arrived. Close air support missions were flown to reduce

the enemy gunfire from Bloody Nose Ridge, and the use

of napalm proved highly effective in cutting enemy resis-

tance. Bombing attacks against islands for pre-invasion

softening-up between October 1944 and June 1945 cost

28 Marine aircraft and 16 pilots.

The Philippines

The return of U.S. forces to the Philippines brought

forth a new menace-the Kamikaze, a piloted aircraft

loaded with explosives intended to crash into Allied ships,

shore installations or aircraft. On 4 December 1944, 66

Corsairs of the Marine Air Corps arrived on the island

of Leyte. Patrols were flown in search of enemy aircraft

and shipping; aircraft were downed on several occasions,

and a destroyer was so thoroughly shot up it had to be

beached. Small cargo ships were bombed and sunk or

left in a sinking condition. A Japanese attempt to rein-

force their troops on Leyte was met by F4U's from

VMF-115, VMF-211, VMF-218 and VMF-311, which

scored hits on a transport and an AK, and shot down

nine fighters. The next day the cripples were hit again,

and a destroyer and a transport were sunk. The Corsairs,

flying defensive patrols over the supply lines, downed

five Kamikazes while trying to protect a destroyer, which

was struck in the magazine by yet another enemy aircraftand sank in 15 seconds.

In January support missions in preparation for the in-

vasion of Lingayen saw MAG-12 fly 306 missions and

MAG-14 1,590 sorties. The Corsairs were based at

Tacloban first; subsequently as the U.S. forces advanced,

MAG-12 was located at Tanauan on Leyte and MAG-14

was assigned to the south-east corner of SAMAR at

Guiuan. Close air support missions were flown during

the retaking of Luzon Island, with Corsairs of MAG-24

and -32 operating from Mangaldan. The story was much

the same in the recapture of the Southern Philippines

during March and April 1945; as airfields were occupied

by ground forces and repaired by Seabees, Marine Cor-

sairs operated out of Dispolog (MAG-12), Zamboanga

(MAG-12 and -32) and Malabang (MAG-24).

Carrier Marines

The Kamikaze threat was the primary topic of discus-

sion at a Pearl Harbour conference on 24-26 November

1944. The Pacific Fleet high command decided to in-

crease the number of fighters aboard carriers to meet

this menace, and as an interim measure to accomplish

this, the Navy called on the Corsair-flying Marines. After

some hurried carrier landing practice, VMF-123 and

VMF-124 boarded the Essex in Ulithi Harbour on 28

December 1944. Both squadrons were under the com-

mand of Lt.-Col. W. Millington, and conducted their first

strike against Okinawa on 3 January 1945. Subsequently

they joined Task Force 38, moving into the China Sea

and conducting a raid on Saigon on 12 January. During

the final year of the war, shipboard Corsairs would see

action during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa,

and would participate in strikes against Formosa and

the Japanese homeland.



I

Against a background of shell-shattered coconut palms a Marine

Corsair taxis down the runway on muddy Munda, New GeorgiaIsland, 26 August 1943. (US Marines)

WORLD WAR II STATISTICS

Enemy aircraft destroyed in aerial combat ... 2,140

Aircraft lost to enemy action in aerial combat ... 189

Victory ratio : 11 to 1

Other Corsair Losses:Enemyani-aircraft fire... 349

Operationduring actionsorties ... ... 230

Onoher flighs ... ... ... ... 692

Onships or onground ... ... ... ... 164Toal sorties flown... ... 64051

U.S.M.C. WORLD WAR II CORSAIR SQUADRONS

VMF-111 ( Devil Dogs )

VMF-112 ("Wolf Pack")VMF-122VMF-123

VMF-124

VMF-212

VMF-213

VMF-214 ( Blacksheep )

VMF-215 ( Fighting Corsairs )

VMF-216

VMF-221 ("Flying Falcons")

VMF-222 ("Flying Duces")VMF-223VMF-225VMF-311VMF-323 ("Death Rattlers")

VMF-411VMF-422VMF(N)-532

U.S.N. WORLD WAR II CORSAIR SQUADRONS

VF-12VF-17 ("Skull and Crossbones")VF(N)-75VF-82VF(N)-101

VF-301THE KOREAN WAR

June 25 1950, the day the Korean conflict began,

caught the U.S. forces completely by surprise. For-

tunately the Seventh Fleet was within fast cruising dis-

tance of Korea, and was in a high state of readiness. The

carrier, Valley Forge, with Air Group Five aboard (con-

sisting of VF-51 and VF-52 operating F9F's, VF-53 and

VF-54 operating F4U's, and VA-55 with Skyraiders) was

the premier carrier and jet-trained air group in the

Pacific Fleet. During the hectic eighty-two days from

25 June until the invasion of Inchon on 15 September

1950, the ground forces fought a desperate holding action

followed by retreat to a defence perimeter around Pusan.

The primary functions of carrier aircraft during this

period consisted of flying interdiction missions, armedreconnaissance and close air support. The Corsair was

instrumental in contributing to the holding of the Pusan

Perimeter.The first strike by Corsairs was to Pyongyang (North

railroad marshalling yards and bridges. The pre-dawn

strike left the Valley Forge at 05.45, consisting of sixteen

F4U's, led by Lt.-Cdr. D. K. English, plus twelve AD

Skyraiders from VA-55. The AD's struck first with their

bombs, followed by the rocket-firing Corsairs. The bomb

and rocket pattern was excellent, with very little of the

airfield installations escaping damage. Another strike in

the afternoon destroyed most of the railroad yards, loco

motives and boxcars. No damage was inflicted on the

aircraft by enemy anti-aircraft gunners. The 4 July

strikes saw more destruction of locomotives, a bridge and

some river gunboats. A damaged AD, attempting to land

back on the carrier, missed the barrier and crashed into

and destroyed one AD and two F4U's and damaged six

other aircraft. These two strikes played an importan

role in maintaining control of the skies over South Korea

On 18 July an air strike was ordered against the oi

refinery located at Wonsan, North Korea. Again, a com

bination of eleven AD's from VA-55 and ten F4U'

from VF-53 led the attack. The Corsairs went in first t

fire their rockets, followed by the AD's with bombs. Th

aircraft were so spaced as to cover the entire refiner

area. The raid was highly successful, and it proved ex

tremely difficult to distinguish portions of the plant no

destroyed. Smoke could be seen from 60 miles away, an

the fire burned for four days.

A request was received on 23 July 1950 from th

ground force commanders for close air support, due tthe rapidly deteriorating situation around the Pusa

Perimeter. The next two months saw a major portion o

the aircraft carriers' time and energy devoted to close ai

support. Thus a means of supporting the ground force

developed and improved by the Marines during Worl

War II helped to hold the line successfully aroun

Pusan. The first close air support mission took off at 08.0

on 25 July, arriving over the front lines some twent

minutes later and awaiting further instructions. Due t

limited communications channels and too few spotte

planes the support aircraft, after circling the area futilel

awaiting instructions, flew westward searching for tar

gets of opportunity. A few of the aircraft found targets

others dumped their loads into the sea. On 26 Jul

success was limited at best-VF-53 Corsairs got sevetrucks in two strikes. August 1 saw the arrival of A

Group Eleven aboard the Philippine Sea, consisting

two F9F jet squadrons, VF-111 and VF-112; two F4

squadrons, VF-113 and VF-114; and one AD squadro

VA-115. The Happy Valley at long last had a team mat

The carriers would stagger their operations so that on

would always be on station, and would operate for tw

days, re-supplying each third day. A typical load for th

F4U on a close air support mission was 800 rounds o

ammunition; one 1,000 pound bomb; eight five-inc

HVAR rockets; and fuel for a four-hour endurance

Strikes were conducted daily, weather permitting. Wi

improved ground communications and more spotte

planes, the air strikes brought about marked resul

against the enemy. In some instances the Navy Corsai

would move deep behind enemy lines to find and destro

enemy targets. Such missions were referred to as bein

deep support instead of close air support . A total

263 sorties were flown from Task Force 77 during th

period.

The escort carrier U.S.S. Badoeng Strait arrived

Kobe, Japan, on 31 July. On board were 70 Corsairs plu

Marine Squadrons VMF-214 and VMF-323. A few day

previous, the escort carrier Sicily had arrived at Kob

after having disembarked its anti-submarine squadron o

Guam. VMF-214, led by Lt.-Col. W. E. Lischei

U.S.M.C., was assigned to the Sicily and launched

first strike on the afternoon of 3 August. The Badoe

Strait with VMF-323, and VMF-214 on Sicily, we

assigned the primary duty of furnishing close air suppo

to the First Provisional Marine Brigade. Six Corsaiwere flown above the Brigade constantly during daylig

hours carrying either a 500-pound bomb or a napal

tank plus a fuel drop tank (to extend endurance time

eight rockets, and a full load of machine gun ammunitio

Between 8 August and 14 September, the Sicily Corsai



Badoeng Strait F4U's recorded

issions. Each Marine squadron flew 24 planes and

85

the blue aeroplanes .

During a low-level strafing mission, two Corsairs were

's was ditched in a bay, the pilot being rescued. The

In preparation for the invasion of Inchon, steps were

almi-do. September 10 saw Marine squadrons VMF-212

rsairs strafed the beaches before the Marines landed.

completely by surprise. The F4U's flew interdic-

The enemy was in complete rout at this time, retreat-

owards North Korea. A force of 5,000 enemy troops

Boxer s Air

Two roared in to attack the communist defenders.

s and enemy forces. During the post-Seoul mop-

, Task Force 77 lost six aircraft and one pilot, plus

ving damage to 20 aircraft. Close and deep air sup-

he carrier aircraft soon lacked employment.

During this slack period the lack of suitable targets

o Wonsan Harbour, Corsairs and Skyraiders

Leyte (VF-33, VF-34, VA-35) and from the

hilippine Sea (VF-113, VF-114 and VA-115) dropped

ile lane into the harbour. Due to inadequate visual

.O.K. forces shortly after the mine-sweeping

ps from 55-gallon drums brought in

he mines were cleared from the harbour.

orsairs vs. Red China

Intelligence detected the movement of Chinese Army

. forces were spread throughout North Korea, with

.O.K. units reaching the Yalu River on 26 Octo-

ed at the Chosin Reservoir at this time.

up to the size of C-47's This foresight proved

Early F4U-1 Corsairs of VF-17, the censor has erased the figure 17ahead of the fuselage insignia. (IWM)

Close air support by Marine Corsairs of VMF-312

from Badoeng Strait using rockets, cannon, bombs and

napalm helped break up daily Chinese assaults on Marine

ground forces. To counter the initial attack by enemy

troops, the F4U's dropped napalm into the oncoming

hordes, tearing large holes in the forward ranks. As the

last F4U dropped its napalm, the first U-Bird , fol-

lowed by the others, would be making a strafing run on

the scattered enemy forces. The assaults would quickly

lose momentum and break up. Elsewhere in the Marine

defence perimeter Skyraiders from VA-115 and Corsairs

from VF-113 and -114 aboard the Philippine Sea appearedand rendered similar support. Support for Tenth Corps

was also provided successfully; but due to communica-

tions difficulties with Eighth Army tactical air controllers,

similar support could not be provided for these ground

forces. Navy Corsair squadrons VF-33 and 34 and Sky-

raider squadron VA-35 from Leyte provided support for

Tenth Corps.

Breakout to Hungnam

The Marine ground forces proceeded to withdraw from

Yudami-ni on 2 December through territory literally

swarming with Red Chinese troops. Flights of close airsupport Corsairs with some AD's from Philippine Sea

Leyte Badoeng Strait and from Yonpo strip would spear-

head the breakout. Air support, some 20 to 50 aircraft,

would provide daily assistance the entire distance to the

sea, some sixty miles away.

To improve communications further during the with-

drawal, an R5D from VMR-152 was equipped as an air-

borne tactical air direction centre. Circling above the

ground forces, it improved communications between

ground units in the mountainous terrain and all fighter

flight leaders. On some strafing runs the empty shell

cases dropped among the Marines, with the bullets and

light bombs falling on the enemy fifty yards ahead of

them.

Throughout the entire withdrawal to Hungnam,

Chinese troops were unable to counter the Navy-Marine

method of close air support. The best defensive equip-

ment available to the enemy was the normal infantry issue

of rifles and light machine guns. During this entire

operation only two carrier pilots were lost to enemy

action. L.Cdr. R. M. Bagwell, the CO of VA-35, crash-

landed his AD and was captured. Ensign J. L. Brown

was shot down while providing close air support near

Hagaru-ri on 4 December; he was injured and trapped

in his wrecked F4U. A squadron mate, Lt.(jg). T. J.

Hudner, made a successful wheels-up landing behind

enemy lines and attempted to assist Ensign Brown in

abandoning his aircraft. Unfortunately, Ensign Brown

died before he could he freed; Lt.(jg). Hudner was

rescued and later received the Medal of Honour for his

selfless efforts on behalf of a friend and fellow pilot.A new record for close air support was reached on 4

December, when 239 individual close air support sorties

were controlled by Tactical Air Control. The ground

forces arrived at Hungnam on 10 December, thanks to



close air support provided by the F4U. During the evacu-

ation of Hungnam an aerial canopy of Marine and Naval

aircraft from no less than seven carriers would defend

the withdrawal (four CV's-Leyte, Philippine Sea Valley

Forge and Princeton, and three CVE's-Sicily, Badoeng

Strait and Bataan). A total of 1,700 sorties were flown

between 15-24 December inside the Hungnam perimeter.

Additional missions were flown outside the area.

Cutting the Supply Lines

With the successful withdrawal of all ground and naval

farces from Hungnam, the war settled down to a battle

line stretching from the Yellow Sea across Korea to the

Sea of Japan between the 37th and 39th parallels. Navy

and Marine Air units were assigned two major objectives

at this time : to destroy the major bridges across the Yalu

River, and to fly armed reconnaissance missions, in-

cluding search and destroy target of opportunity . The

bridges were attacked between 8-30 November 1950 by

Navy carrier aircraft from Valley Forge Philippine Sea

and Leyte. A strike group would consist of between 24

and 40 aircraft. The F9F-2 jets would provide high cover

protection for F4U's carrying either eight five-inch

rockets, or eight 100 pound bombs, or a single 500 pound

bomb and six five-inch rockets. In some cases, the car-

stir carried the eleven-inch Tiny Tim rockets; AD Sky-

raiders would carry bombs and full belts of cannon

ammunition.The period 9-21 November saw Navy aircraft fly 593

sorties on the Yalu River bridges, dropping 232 tons of

bombs. The Corsairs would go in first to strike the Korean

anti-aircraft positions followed by additional F4U's

dropping time-fused bombs. Then the AD's would fol-

low, dropping their bomb load on the bridges. Three

major bridges were destroyed and four others severely

damaged. With the oncoming cold weather further

attempts at destroying the bridges were of little value,

since the Yalu River was starting to freeze and the enemy

would be able to cross the river at any point over the

heavy ice.

The attack on Hwachon Dam on 1 May 1951 saw the

only use of torpedoes in Korea. In previous attempts to

destroy the dam bombs dropped by AD's proved unsuc-cessful, even though the F4U escort provided adequate

flak suppression suppor'. VF-192 and -193 Corsairs from

Princeton accompanied VA-195's torpedo-equipped AD's

to the dam, dropping their time-fused bombs after strafing

the flak installations. The AD's then launched their tor-

pedoes, which ran true and knocked huge holes in the

dam.

The anti-aircraft fire during the Korean War gradually

improved in accuracy and intensity, having increased ten-

fold in just over one year. An indication of this is

provided by Air Group Five from Essex, which went

through two sets of aircraft because of a heavy operating

schedule and from damage received from flak. Between

22 August and 30 November 1951 Air Group Five air-

craft received 318 flak hits, resulting in the loss of 2

aircraft and 11 pilots.

Night Operations

With carrier aircraft on armed reconnaissance fligh

during the day attacking targets of opportunity, the enem

shifted troop and supply movements to a night tim

schedule. For night operations small composite squadro

were assigned to the CV's. Composite squadrons opera

ing in Korea were VC-3, VC-4 and VC-35 usin

F4U-5(N) Corsairs and AD-4(N) Skyraiders. Results we

very encouraging on a successful attack, as the pyrotechn

display of burning vehicles or locomotives would light the countryside. The initial attack was always made wi

the aircraft engine throttled back to avoid alerting t

enemy. Napalm and cannon were the favoured weapon

raising the score of equipment destroyed compared

conventional bombing.

Towards the end of the Korean War the enemy adopt

a tactic of night harassment utilizing either the YAK-

or the P0-2. These aircraft would fly low to avoid rad

detection and upon reaching their target would drop o

or two small bombs, seldom doing damage but creati

a nuisance. The possibility of the enemy finding an airfie

and inflicting extensive damage caused some concer

the jet night-fighters could not slow down sufficiently

engage night hecklers . The Marines were operati

F4U's out of K-8 airfield south of Seoul, and the Nasent two F4U-5(N) night-fighters from each carrier

K-8 to resolve the night heckler problem. The VC pilo

received a week's familiarization, and on the night of

June 1953 Lt. G. P. Bordelon shot down two heckle

On 5 July Lt. Bordelon once again shot down two i

truders, and twelve nights later scored once more

become the only Corsair ace in the Korean War. A

strikes by the F4U Corsair continued against enemy t

gets until the last day of the war, 27 July 1953. In th

time there was only one successful encounter betwee

Corsair and a MiG-15 jet-not surprisingly. Capta

J. G. Folmar, a Marine F4U pilot from the Sic

managed to destroy a MiG before being shot down him

self by one of the communist pilot's team mates.

U.S. Navy squadrons flying the Corsair in theKorean War:

Carrier

Valley Forge

CVA-45

Squadron

VF-53

VF-54

VF-113

VF-114

Date

6/50-11/506/50-11/50

3/51

3/51

ID Let

S

S

V

VVF-24 12/50 3

VF-63 12/50- 3/51 MVF-653 12/51- 6/52 U

VF-92 12/52- 6/53 S

Philippine Sea VF-113 8/50- 3/51 VCVA-47 VF-114 8/50- 3/51 V

VF-24 3/51- 6/51 CORSAIR SPECIFICATIONS Total F4U Production: 12,571

F4U-1 /FG-1 F4U-1 D / FG-1 D F4U-4 F4U-5 F4U-5N AU-1 F4U-7

Span (ft.) 41 41 41 41 41 41 41

Length (ft.) 33 33 33 34 34 2 34 2 342

Height (ft.) 12 12 13 13 13 13 13

Wing Area (sq. ft.) 314 314 314 314 314 314 314

Gross Weights 12,820 12,028 12,500 12,900 13,450 12,900 13,270(no external loads)

Max. Speed (m.p.h.) 405 417 44 6 46 2 47 43 8

Ceiling 35,200 36,900 41,500 44,100 41,400 19,500

Range 1,015 1,015 1,005 1,036 1,120 484

Power Unit

Pratt & Whitney

-2800-8

2,000 h.p.

R-2800-8W

2,000 h.p.

R-2800-18W

or -24W2,100 h.p.

R-2800-32N

, 2,300 h.p.

32W

2,300 h.p.

R-2800-83WA

2,300 h.p.

2800-18W

2,100 h.p.

Armament 6 x 50 cal. mg.

8 x Sin, rockets

1 x 1.000tb

bomb

6 x '50 cal. mg.

8 x Sin, rockets

2 x 1,000tb

bombs

6 x 50 cal. m.g. 4 x 20mm8 x Sin. rockets 8 x Sin, rockets

2 x 1,000tb 2 x 1,0001b

bombs bombs

4 x 20mm

8 x 5in. rockets

2 x 1,000lbbombs

4 x 20mm

10 x Sin. rockets

2 x 1,000tb

bombs

4 x 20mm

10 x Sin, rocke

2 x 1,000tb

bombs



VF-63 3/51- 6/51 VF-114 1/52- 7/52 VVF-94 1/53- 7/53 N

VF-33 10/50- 1/51 KVF-34 10/50- 1/51 K

VF-21 9/50-10/50 MVF 22 9/50-10/50 VF-63 9/50-10/50 VF-64 9/50-10/50 MVF 884 3/51-10/51 A

VF 791 3/51-10/51

VF-63 3/52- 9/52 VF-64 3/52- 9/52 VF-44 6/53- 7/53 F

VF-192 10/50- 5/51 BVF-193VF-821*

10/50- 5/516/51- 8/51

BB

VF-871* 6/51- 8/51 BVF-34 6/51- 8/51

VF-192 4/52-10/52 BVF-193VF-152

VF-783*

4/52-10/523/53- 7/53

5/51-11/51

BH

DVF 874 5/51-11/51

VF 74 6/52-12/52 L

VF-53 8/51- 3/52 SVF-871 7/52- 1/53

m VF-713

VF-884

10/51- 3/52

9/52- 2/53

H

A

VF-874* 10/52- 5/53 D

VF-44 6/53- 6/53 F

VC-3 NPVC-35 NA

* Reserve Squadrons

Squadron

VMF-214

ID Letters

WEVMF-323 MSVMA-312 WR

VMF-323 MSVMF-212 LD

VS-931

VMF-212 LDVMF-312 WR

VMA-312 WR

VMF(N)-513 WS

VMA-332 MR

VMJ-3 MW

Navy accepted under lend-lease arrange-

012 Corsairs, as from 1 June 1943 No. 1830

formed at Quonset Point, R.I., accepted the

-1 s, designated Corsair I s, and before the

F4U-1A, or Corsair II. Some modi-

ations had to be carried out before the aircraft could

operational To permit stowage on the smaller

Another change was to forma bulge inthe

. using Corsairs was on 3 April 1944, by No. 1834

on an attack against the German battleship Tirpitz.Along with operations in the Atlantic, Corsairs were

active on carriers in the Indian Ocean and in 1945 some

British carriers joined the U.S. Navy Task Forces operat-

ing in the Pacific Ocean. In many instances, due to a

lack of aerial opposition, the F.A.A. Corsairs were used

as bombers. A total of 19 F.A.A. squadrons were even-

tually outfitted with the Corsair. Just prior to VJ day,

during a strike in Japanese home waters, Lt. R. H. Gray,

R.C.N.V.R., of No. 1841 Squadron, sank a Japanese

destroyer before being shot down. He was awarded the

Victoria Cross posthumously.

Royal New Zealand Air Force

A total of 425 Corsairs were delivered to the Royal

New Zealand Air Force, with first delivery in early 1943.

The New Zealand Corsairs were assigned to 13squadrons, first becoming operational in early 1944. They

were flown side by side with U.S.M.C. Corsairs on raids

to Rabaul mounted from Bougainville, and later on fought

over the Philippines and Okinawa.

French Corsairs

The French Navy air arm Aeronavale received a small

number of AU-1 Corsairs (a low level heavily-armoured

ground attack version) when the Korean truce talks com-

menced. The aircraft, formerly flown by U.S.M.C. pilots,

were utilized by the French during the Indo-ChineseWar, and after the fall of Dien Bien Phu were taken back

to France. Impressed with the performance of the AU-1,

France placed an order for a modified version to be

designated F4U-7. Ninety-four were built for the French,

being assigned to the close support and attack squadrons

12F 14F 1SF and 17F. The Corsairs saw action in the

Suez campaign of 1956, and as recently as the early 1960's

flew strikes against the Algerian insurgents.

Argentina

The Argentine Aviacion Naval operate Attack Squad-

rons I and II of F4U-5 and -5(N) Corsairs from its lone

aircraft carrier, Indepencia. The aircraft were supplied

by the U.S. Government under a defence agreement after

the U.S. forces had phased out the prop-driven Corsairs

in favour of jet fighter aircraft.

San Salvador

This tiny Central American country has also been

provided with Corsairs by the U.S. Government. Still in

operational use in San Salvador are some F4U-4 models,

forming one flight of fighter-bombers. Some FG-1D's,

among the first to be delivered, have since been phased

out.

Honduras

In an attempt to standardize its fighter equipment this

State disposed of its mixture of surplus aircraft and pur-

chased from a surplus dealer enough F4U-4's to supple-

ment its F4U-5 and -5(N) aircraft as the equipment of

two squadrons of fighter-bombers. The main base of

operation is Tocontin, but there are fifteen other airfields

from which the Corsair can operate.

Marine pilots scrambling on a Pacific island; aircraft are bubble-topF4U-1's. (Vought)



Above: F4U-1 Corsair escorting a flight of B-24's on a mission in the Solomon Islands, August 1943. (via R. Kopitzke)

1

Above: Bird cage F4U-1 Corsair, the first model to see combat at Guadalcanal; the aircraft illustrated is flying over NAS Norfolk, Virginiain July 1942. (US Navy)

Below: Interesting shot of Corsairs of an unknown Marine unit taxying out for take-off on Russell Island, Solomon Islands, October 1943.

Note the variety of upper surface markings, double marked, single marked with yellow surround and single with blue surround. (US Marines)



U

S

Cease Fire being sounded as a pair of Marine Corsairs start out on combat patrol; note IFF ON 1' sign. (US Marines)

Above: Goodyear FG-1 D's flying patrol somewhere in the Pacific. (Goodyear)



Above: A trio of Marine Corsairs of a large formation heading for Japanese bases in the Marshall Islands. Note 260 has no bar to the wing

insignia; bomb racks are home-made carrying 1000-pounders. 4th Marine Air Wing, June 1944. (US Marines)

Below: A line-up of F4U-1 D Corsairs on Peleliu, September 1944, (US Marines)

Below: Marine Corsairs taxying out from their dispersal area on Guam for a straffing mission against the enemy held airstrip on Rota Island.

12 October 1944. (US Marines)



F4U-4 Corsair of VMBF-231, Ace of Spades Squadron, note insignia ahead and below windscreen. (US Marines)

Ole 122 of VMF-111 Devil Dogs 4th Marine Air Wing, on an airstrip in the Gilberts.



Above: Marine Corsairs of the Hells Angels Squadron lined-up on the airstrip on Guam. (US Marines)

Below: A Corsair on the ready strip on Guam, note the Hells Angels insignia ahead of cockpit. Both photos taken in November 1944. (USMarines)

Below: These particular Corsairs were part of the escort when Admiral Nimitz visited Iwo Jima, March 1945. (US Marines)



Block Island.



Above & below: A four plane Marine division escorting an Army F-5E on the run in to attack a Japanese strong point in central Okinawa

The Corsairs are from VMF-323 and the F-5E from the 28th PRS; the F-5E carried a modified long-range tank with a transparent nose-piecefrom which Lt. D. D. Duncan shot cine film of this and other attacks, a photograph of this F-5E appears in AIRCAM No. 10. The lower photo-

graph shows a formation of VMF-323 Death Rattlers homeward bound after the attack, photo aircraft was a Grumman Avenger. 2nd Marine

Air Wing, 10 June 1945. (US Marines)

Below: Flak Bait , a F4U-1 D Corsair of an unknown Marine unit on le Shima during June 1945. Note sharkmouth on drop tank. (US Marines



1



Above: Corsairs of VM F-323 D

Rattlers head home after a r

strike against Japanese posi

south of the front lines on Okin

10 June 1945. (US Marines)

Left: F4U-4 Corsair of the D

Knights Squadron, 2nd Marin

Wing, taxying down the runwa

Kadena airfield , Okinawa.

Marines)

Below. A 5001b bomb being loon a Corsair already armed w

full load of rockets, Kadena air

Okinawa. (US Marines)



Above: Corsairs of the Whistling Devil's Squadron line up on Omura airfield, Kyushu, shortly after VJ Day. (US Marines)

Below: A formation of Corsairs of the Hells' Bell's Squadron, Marine Air Group 31, flying a surveillance patrol pass over Fujiyama at about

15,000ft, late 1945. (US Marines)



Above: An F4U-4 of VMF-461, USS Leyte, about to take-off on a training flight over the Mediterranean, 6th Fleet. (US Marines)

Below: F4U-5 Corsair of VMF-224, note USMC insignia under cockpit. (via R. Kopitzke)

Below: Corsairs of VMF-218 lined-up with wings folded awaiting shipment back to the States from Guam due to re-deployment of Fleet Marine

Forces, 16 January 1950. (US Marines)



Air Station, 14 March 1952. (US Marines)



r r

Above: An F4U-4B of what is believed to be VMF(N)-513 bogged down in soft sand on Seoul City Air Base, 1st Marine Air Wing, 29 April

1951. (US Marines)

Above: Line-up of Corsairs of VMF-214 Black Sheep Squadron on Pohang airfield, stand in readiness for a ground attack mission.1 st MAW.

1 October 1951 . (US Marines)

Below: An F4U-5NL night-fighter of VMF-214 on Wonsan airfield, Korea; note long-range tank, Sin, rockets and 4 x 20mm guns. (US Marines)



A

finish. Note barless national insignia underto insignia was Msed from June to September 1943.

unit unknown, US Marine Corps, Russell Island SolomonOctober 1943. Double marked on upper surfaces.



D

1

Vought F4U-1 D Corsair, Marine Air Group 31, Japan 1945.

2

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, flown by Col. John H. Glenn US Marine Corps, China, 1945.

3

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMF-211, US Marine Corps, Portex Manoeuvres, 1949.

4

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMF-214, US Marine Corps, Pohang airfield, Korea. October 1951.

5

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMF-235, US Marine Corps, Kaneohe Air Station, Hawaii, March 1952.



1

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMF-212, US Marine Corps, Yonpo airfield, Korea, November 1950.

2

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMF-312, US Marine Corps, Wonsan airfield, Korea, 1951.

3Vought F4U-4 Corsa i r , VMF-312, US Marine Corps, CVE-115 Bairoko, Korea, February 1952.

4

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMA-332, US Marine Corps, CVE-115 Bairoko, Korea, July 1953.

5

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, Hedron-2, US Marine Corps, equipped for photo-reconnaissance.

MARINESVM F 2

MARINE



1

Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMF-224, US Marine Corps.

2

Goodyear FG-1 D Corsair, US Marine Corps Reserve , Columbus, Ohio.

3Vought F4U-4 Corsair, VMFT-20, US Marine Corps, MCAS Cherry Point, 1952.



NAVYNIAGAR A F AILS



F

1

Vought Corsair Mk II, unit unknown Fleet Air Arn1.

3

Vought Corsair Mk. II, No . 1830 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, HMS I l lustr ious Indian Ocean.

4

Vought Corsair Mk. II, Fleet Air Arm, British Pacific Fleet.

5

Vought Corsair Mk. II, No 1834 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, British Pacific Fleet.



G

1

Vought AU-1 Corsair, Aeronavale. Serial 129379. Note early presentation of national insignia.

5

Vought F4U-7 Corsair, Flotille 14-F, Aeronavale, Suez Operations 1952.



Vought F4U-1 Corsair, probably of No. 14 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Guadalcral, 1945.

2Vought F4U-1 Corsair, probably of No. 14 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Guadal

3

Vought F4U-1 Corsair, unit unknown, Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1945.

s

4

Vought F4U-1 Corsair, unit unknown , Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1945.

f q

S4 44y Cy:F

5

Vought F4U-5NL Corsair, 2nd Attack Squadron, Argentine Navy, from the carrier ARA Independencia.

, ^y5rrf1



Above: F4U-4B Corsairs revving up on the flight deck of CV-47 Philippine Sea prior to a strike against targets in Korea. Corsairs belong toVF-113 and VF-114, US Navy. (US Navy)

Above: Corsairs of VMF-212 lined-up on Yonpo airfield, Korea. (US Marines)

Below: F4U-4's of VMA-312 taxying out for take-off from Wonsan airfield on a rocket strike against Communist targets, 1951. (US Marines)



Above: The 10,000th landing on CVE-115 Bairoko being made by Major Alexander S. Walker of VMA-312 Checkerboard Squadron; notethe arrester hook has just engaged the wire. (US Marines)

Above: A Polka Dot Corsair, VMA-332, landing on a carrier off the Korean coast. (US Marines)

Below: Corsairs of VMA-332 ' Polka Dot Squadron, 1st MAW, being readied for a strike against targets in North Korea. Note variationsin position of under wing insignia. (US Marines)



Above: Nice flying shot of a F4U-4 of Hedron 2; this particular Corsair was equipped for photo-reconnaissance. (US Marines)

Below: Gull-grey and white AU-1 Corsair based at MAS Quantico, see colour illustration. (via Fred C. Dickey Jr.)

Below: An F4U-4, probably from VF-791, CV-21 Boxer, flown by Lt. R. Pitner, banking over the target area near Wonsan on 15 June 1951.

Target was the railway bridge obscured with smoke at the top of the photograph above the radio mast. VF-791 and VF-781 were both Reservesquadrons flying from the USS Boxer. (US Navy)



Above: A fair formation by Navy Reserve pilots, note the yellow band placed forward. (via Art Kreiger)

Below: This three-quarter rear photo shows to good advantage the gull wing of the Corsair. US Navy Reserve Corsair from NAS Minneapolis.

(Fred C. Dickey Jr.)



Above: Another nice flying shot of Navy Reserve Corsairs. (US Navy)

Below: AU-1 from NAS Dallas, note the yellow band has been overpainted, (Fred C. Dickey Jr.)



Above: Tidy line abreast formation by Corsair Mk. II's of the Fleet Air Arm. (IWM)

Above & below: A clipped wing-tip Mk. I, JT159 being put trough its paces at NAS Quonset. (via Fred C. Dickey Jr.)



Above: Corsair Mk. II of the Fleet Air Arm taking off from a carrier on a training flight. (IWM)

Below: Corsair being parked on the flight deck of a carrier, note the clipped wing-tips. (IWM)

Below: Good shot of a Corsair landing on a carrier of the British Pacific Fleet. (US Navy)



Above: Corsair Mk. II of No..1830 Squadron landing on Illustrious. (IWM)

Below: A.Mk. II of No. 1837 Squadron rolling down the flight deck with vortices forming in the hot humid atmosphere. (IWM)

Below: Corsairs being ferried to the British Pacific Fleet by Slinger, February 1945. (IWM)



Above: Line-up of F4U-7 Corsairs of Flotille 14F, Aero-navale in various stages of paintwork; note the fouledanchor marking in use at this time. Algeria 1945. (ECA viaJ. Cuny)

Right: Close-up of the early Aeronavale insignia. (ECAvia J. Cuny)

Below: F4U-7 in later markings probably of Flotille 17Fat Hyeres in 1962. (S. P. Peltz)



set

Above: Corsair of Flotille 14F taking off from the Arromanches during Mediterranean manoeuvres. (via R. C. B. Ashworth)

Above: Good detail photograph of a 14F F4U-7.

Below: Corsair of Flotille 14F folding wings after deck landing on the Arromanches. (via R. Kopitzke)



Above: Nice flying shot of a F4U-7 of Flotille 12F. (ECA via J. Cuny)

Below: A pair of bombed-up Corsairs of an unknown unit probably flying over Algeria.

Below: An F4U-7 of Flotille 14F, note rockets and 4 x 20mm cannon. (J. Cuny)



Above : Algerian based F4U-7 of Flotille 12F. (via R. C. B. Ashworth)

Below Black and yellow striped Corsairs in the markings of Flotille 15F during the Suez operations . (ECA via J. Cuny)

I

Below Line-up of F4U 7 Corsairs of Flotille 14F during the Suez operations: stripes are yellow and black, note the varying shades of blue of

the rudder stripes . (ECA via J. Cuny)



Squadron, RNZAFng down the coast of

(RNZAF)

ation, nearest to

U-1 of an unknown unit on a

ph clearly shows the thin fin

(RNZAF)

t

li



Above : New Zealand F4U-1 with

the maximum three tank fuel load

taking off for the Islands, note the

fume tapes on the fuselage . Serial

NZ5440. Royal New Zealand AirForce. (NZAF via d'E. C. Darby)

Left: F4U-1 of an unknown unit onPiva airstrip, RNZAF. Serial NZ5218.

(via d'E. C. Darby)

A pair of F4U-1's of an unknownunit on a Pacific island airstrip,

Serials NZ5385 and NZ5388. Note

there is no yellow surround to the

roundel. (d'E. C. Darby)

F4U-1 NZ5471 of an unknown uniton an island airstrip. Note the

roundel has the yellow surround.(via d'E. C. Darby)



, Royal New

6. (via d'E. C. Darby)

. 19 Squadron, flying along

Corsair displaying

hef the road of a nations air

RNZAF Corsair



B5Upper surfacesunder surfaces identical except

for MARINES on port wing,

see colour il lustration.

A2

Upper surfaces

Midnite lue

9d6

B3

Upper surfaces,under surfaces identical exceptfor 11 AF on port wing,

see colour illustration.

D3Upper surfaces.



E5

Upper surfacesunder surfaces identical exceptfor 52 US NAVY on port wing.


D4

Upper surfacesunder surfaces identicalexcept for MARINES,


Midnite



AIRCAM AVIATION SERIES

Each publication in the original AIRCAM series illustrates

one type or major sub-type of a famous aircraft in the

colour schemes and markings of the Air Forces of the

World. Each issue contains eight pages of colour side-

view illustrations with supporting black and white plan

view drawings showing where necessary both upper and

under surfaces, one hundred-plus half-tone photographs,

more than half of which have never previously been

published, and between three and seven thousand wordsof text. The AI RCAM SPECIALS cover a wide range of

subjects from the three single-seat fighters of the Battle

of Britain to present day Aerobatic Teams. Air Force

Histories and Air Force Colour Schemes and Markings,

and the Specials will have new titles added at regular

intervals. The content of Specials will vary, depending

on subject to between five and ten thousand words and

between fifty and one hundred half-tone photographs;

all will have eight full colour pages.

1 North American P-51 D Mustang

2 Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

3 North American Mustang Mk I/IV

North American P-51 B and D Mustang

4 Supermarine Spitfire Mk I/XVI, Merlin Engine

5 North American P-51 B/C Mustang

6 Curtiss (P-40) Kittyhawk Mk I/IV

7 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

8 Supermarine Spitfire riffon Engine

9 Spad Scouts

10 Lockheed P-38 Lightning

11 Consolidated B-24 Liberator

12 Avro Lancaster

13 Nakajima Ki.43

14 Republic F/RF-84F

Thunderstreak /Thunderflash

15 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

16 Mitsubishi A6M Zero Sen

17 North American F-86A/H Sabre Vol.1

18 Nakajima Ki 27/Manshu Ki.79

19 Grumman F6F3/5 Hellcat

20 Canadair Sabre Mk 1/VI: Vol. 2.

Commonwealth Sabre Mk 30/32

22 North American B 25C/H. Mitchell

23 Vought F4U-1 /7 Corsair

24 Hawker Hurricane Mk I/IV

25 Nakajima Ki.44 la/Ilb Shoki

26 Hawker Hunter

27 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

28 De Havilland Mosquito

29 Nakajima Ki.84 Hayate

30 McDonnell F-4 Phantom

AI RCAM 'SPECIALS

51 Battle of BritainThe Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and-Messerschmitt

Bf.109E.

S2 Finnish Air Force

A complete history of the Finnish Air Force from formationto the present day.

Sa Sharkmouth

In two Volumes. The history of the SHARKMOUTH markings

from its origin in the German Air Force in the first World War

to the present day.

S5 Czechoslovakian Air Force 191 8-1 970A pictorial history of the Czechoslovakian Air Force through

two World Wars to the present day.

S6 Luftwaffe:Colour Schemes & Markings 1935-1945. Vol. 1. Fighters and

Ground Attack types.

S7 Aerobatic Teams 1950-1970 Vol. 1

S8 Luftwaffe:Colour Schemes & Markings 1935-1945. Vol. 2. Bombers,Reconnaissance, Maritime, Training and Liaison types.

Royal Netherlands Air Force

Belgian Air Force

Regia Aeronautica :Colour Schemes & Markings. Vol. 1. Fighters and GroundAttack types.

Regia Aeronautica:colour Schemes & Markings. Vol. 2. Bombers, Reconnaissance.

Maritime, Training and Liaison types.

United States Army Air ForceBombardment Group Identification Markings and codes1941-1945.

Aerobatic Teams 1950-1970 Vol. 2.

Netherlands East Indies Air Force

West German Luftwaffe

Battle of Britain Bombers Vol. 1.

osprey aircam aviation series 23 - vought f4u1-7 corsair

Documents